Southern Comfort Cherry Liqueur Review
With so many brands focused on adding flavors to their collections, we sometimes forget about “the original flavored spirit”. But Southern Comfort is ready to reclaim its title. Keeping it fresh and innovative is key in the spirits industry and so Southern Comfort has stepped up to the plate after releasing SoCo Lime in 2010, SoCo Fiery Pepper in 2011 and now its latest offering, SoCo Cherry. Southern Comfort was originally created by bartender Martin Wilkes Heron at McCauleys Tavern in New Orleans. What was originally called the “Cuffs and Buttons” was a huge hit and would eventually go on to become Southern Comfort. While most drinkers have bad memories of Southern Comfort dating back to their college years, it was once known for being a unique ingredient in some tastefully crafted cocktails and is starting to make a quiet comeback. One of the earliest Southern Comfort based cocktails to be marketed was the “Scarlett O’Hara”, created as a tribute for the release of Gone with the Wind back in 1939 included SoCo, lime juice, cranberry juice and club soda. Here is our tasting note.
Color: Light brown/amber color with almost a tint of red when in lighted areas.
Aroma: Strong aromas of vanilla and cherry with subtle notes of peach.
Palate: Sweet, sweet, and did I mention sweet? Being a peach liqueur, this one already was on the sweeter side and now favors a strong cherry finish to it. In addition to the cherry, you can still sense notes of vanilla and peach which give it a bit of complexity. The added cherry does however give it a smoother finish.
Rating: Good. SoCo is either a love it or hate it kinda of liqueur, usually best served in a mixed drink. This one is no exception and although the strong flavor of cherry makes this one slightly more drinkable on its own than SoCo original, it still is a bit rough. It mixes amazingly well with cola and tropical juices, such as cranberry and pineapple, but isn’t quite ready to be left on its own.
Here are a couple of recipes to try:
SoCo Cherry Squeeze
1 1/2 oz Southern Comfort Bold Black Cherry
1/2 oz Orange Juice
3 oz Lemon Lime Soda
SoCo Chocolate Covered Cherry
1 1/4 oz Southern Comfort Bold Black Cherry
1/2 oz Dark creme de cocoa
Photo courtesy of Intoxicology.net, recipes courtesy of Southern Comfort“
